Pylons project sparks protest

A huge electricity substation and pylons would devastate tourism, property prices and the landscape.

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That is the verdict from a survey that reveals the overwhelming majority of people are worried the region will suffer under windfarm plans.

Three quarters of those questioned believe the National Grid's Mid Wales Connection Project will have a negative impact.

Planning inspector Andrew Poulter is set to give his decision at the end of the year to five windfarms in Mid Wales

They involve turbines near Llandrindod Wells, near Newtown, near Llanidloes and two near Machynlleth, with a 132kV overhead line to the Welshpool substation.

More than 800 people took part in a survey commissioned by Montgomeryshire AM Russell George.

He said: "The results of the survey show conclusively that while the vast majority of people are supportive of renewable energy, there is deep-seated scepticism about the Mid Wales Connection Project.

"There are fears that Powys does not have the road infrastructure and that the project would be negative for tourism, property prices, the farming industry, wildlife and the visual amenity of our area."

He accused the Welsh Government of a "bull-in-a-China-shop" approach to renewable energy.

But he added: "Some 45 per cent of people felt that the presence of a wind turbine in their communities would have a positive effect. This is in contrast with other answers and a conclusion could be drawn that there is less opposition for single wind turbines than for the large scale proposals."